The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
Author: James Harrison Frey
Josias Brown served as a private first class in Captain Alexander Peebles Company of the 6th Battalion, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Militia. Born in Ireland in 1744 he was married about 1767 to Hannah Mitchell (abt. 1747 – 14 Oct 1835), a daughter of Gavin Mitchell and Isabella Campbell. His name appears on tax rolls in Letterkenny and Hopewell Townships, Cumberland County, PA from 1777. He and his family moved to Ohio County, Virginia (now West Virginia) about 1793 and established Good Shepherd Farm, which exists to this day on Brown’s Run Road. Records indicate that Josias was a “tanner and yeoman.” Children of Josias and Hannah Brown were sons Alexander (1774 – 1850), Josias, Jr. (1803 – 1890) and John (1807 – 1857) and daughters Jane (1780 – 1868) and Ruth (1791 – 1862). The family were members of the Forks of Wheeling Presbyterian Church, also known as Stone Presbyterian Church. Founded in 1787, Forks of Wheeling was the first Presbyterian organization in the area.
The pioneers first worshipped under a giant oak tree, with muskets at hand in the event of Indian raids. The site later sheltered the first crude, tent-like structure with raised platform, erected in 1790. The oak tree survived until the winter of 1998-99 when it died and was cut down. Its age was estimated at over 300 years. The church cemetery is the final resting place of 19 patriots including two colonels, Moses Caton Chapline, and David Shepherd, who gave the land to the church.
Josias and Hannah Brown were buried in the Old Tent Cemetery on Peters Run Road, Ohio County, about six miles from Wheeling, which is also the burial place of other Scots-Irish Presbyterians and patriots, many of whom were related by marriage.
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